Travelling to radiotherapy appointments

If you have a long way to travel each day to get to your radiotherapy appointment you may feel very tired, especially if you have side effects from the treatment.

If you drive your own car or use public transport you can ask the radiographers to make your appointment time to suit you. They will do their best to make the appointments as convenient as possible. If you can, ask a family member or friend to drive you to the hospital, even just a couple of times a week.

Car parking can be difficult at hospitals. You can ask the radiotherapy unit staff if they can give you a hospital parking permit or advice on discounted parking. Or they may be able to give you tips on free places to park nearby.

If you need help with travelling, the radiotherapy staff can usually help to arrange transport for you. Some hospitals have their own drivers or can arrange ambulances. Some charities offer hospital transport. Look at the cancer organisations list for some names and addresses to contact.

The treatment room

Radiotherapy machines are very big and may make you feel nervous when you see them for the first time. The machine may be fixed in one position or able to rotate around your body to give treatment from different directions. Before your first treatment your radiographers will explain what you will see and hear.

In some departments the treatment rooms have docks for you to plug in music players. So you can listen to your own music while you have treatment.

Having external radiotherapy treatment

You can't feel radiotherapy when you actually have the treatment. Because your position is so important, the radiographers may take a little while to get you ready. You can help by trying to relax as much as possible during this time.

Once you are in the right position the staff leave you alone in the room. This is so they are not exposed to the radiation. Depending on the type of treatment you are having, you will be alone for a few minutes or up to 15 minutes. The radiographers watch you carefully either through a window or on a closed circuit television screen. They may ask you to hold your breath or take shallow breaths during the treatment.

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